THE SSP JOURNAL

Joyful, fine art wedding photography for real couples. Serving Chicago, Washington DC and beyond.
Based in South Bend, Indiana. Available for travel.

An Elegant Summer Wedding at Notre Dame – Megan & Zachary – Chicago Wedding Photographer

Megan and Zachary met freshman year of college at the University of Notre Dame. An immediate friendship began and after about a year, this friendship blossomed into a meaningful relationship. Megan loves Zachary’s sense of humor and how he makes her feel so incredibly loved. Zachary says Megan makes him so happy and he loves that he can be himself around her, no matter what. At the end of senior year, when it was time to choose their future jobs, Megan and Zachary sat down and discussed their future together. Which brings us to today. This is Megan and Zachary’s wedding day story. ❤️

Grace and I arrived at the hotel as the hustle and bustle of hair and makeup was happening. Grace stayed with the gals as I photographed their wedding details in another suite. Megan and Zachary’s invitation was so elegant and pairs perfectly with their custom ring dish. 💍

Megan already looked stunning and she wasn’t even ready yet. 😊

While hair and makeup continued, I drove over the boys’ AirBNB to check our awesome groom. Clay and Mark, our two best men, were eager to help Zachary look his best for his big day! 😎

The Spitzer clan! 🥰

Zachary bought all his groomsmen vintage Coca-Cola’s to toast this incredible day! 🍻

Zachary nailed his portraits. Sorry ladies, this one’s taken! 😉

Inside, Zachary opened his gift from Megan. It was a leather-bounded journal that Megan had written love letters to him in every day for the past year, including an entry today (their wedding day). Wow, so amazing. ❤️

I left the boys and headed back to the hotel. Before getting dressed, the ladies snuggled together on the bed. 🙂

Beautiful! 😊

Megan’s mom, Judith, helped her into her dress. It was such a beautiful sweet moment between the two of them. ❤️

Megan then opened her gift from Zachary which was a custom Spitzer sign and a canvas of one of their favorite engagement photos. 😊

Megan looked amazing and that dress sure could spin! 😍 👗

Megan then shared a private first look with her dad, grandparents and bridesmaids. 🙂

Time to get married!

When we arrived at the Basilica, we had a few minutes to capture this gorgeous shot in the vestibule. 🤩

Ceremony time!

That moment when you see each other for the first time. ❤️

After opening prayer, the ceremony continued with several readings, the Gospel and a hilarious homily.

Megan and Zachary then exchanged vows and rings. 💍

Father Matthew preceded to offer communion.

Before the final blessing, Megan, Zachary and the whole wedding party sang the Notre Dame fight song. Their guests gladly joined in! 😊

It’s official! 🥳

Mr and Mrs Spitzer! ❤️❤️❤️

When the ceremony ended, we took formal photos at the front of the church.

The newlyweds! 🥰

Love! 💕

Megan and Zachary exited the church to their very own cheering section! 😊

We finished up family formals on the beautiful God Quad lawn.

Now it was time for some wedding party shenanigans!

Such a great group! 😊

With all the other photos done, it was finally time for our bride and groom to take their first photos as husband and wife. The light was just heavenly. 🥰

We, of course, had to do another burrito spin photo and these two were just as cute today as they were during their engagement session. 😍😍😍

I love the many colors of the Grotto walkway. 😊

Across the street at the lake, Megan and Zachary took time to enjoy the view.

Love these snuggles so much! 🥰

Our final stop for photos was the beautiful arch and it did not disappoint! 🤩

Photos like these are why I love having 2 shooters on a wedding day. Grace is able to capture a different perspective which only strengthens the story. 😍

Amazing! 🤩

Reception time!

As Megan and Zachary enjoyed cocktail hour, Grace and I photographed the reception details in the ballroom.

Now that’s a grand entrance! 🥳

Before dinner, Megan’s dad, Gregory, shared some beautiful words about his little girl that brought the room to tears. 🥲❤️

Next up was Sarah and Morgan with a combined maid of honor/best friends speech and then Clay and Mark’s hilarious toasts. 🙂

After a very yummy dinner, it was time for cake! 🎂

Megan and Zachary then shared their first dance as husband and wife. 😍

I love this photo so much because not only are Megan and Zachary sharing a special moment but their closest friends are watching with huge smiles on their faces. 🥰

A standing ovation for the new Mr and Mrs Spitzer! 🥳

Next up, Hope joined Zachary on the dance floor for their mother-son dance.

Then it was Gregory’s turn for the father-daughter dance. Megan and her dad then invited all the father-daughter couples to join them. 😊

Party time! 🥳 🪩

Bear photo!!! 🐻

As the evening was coming to an end, Megan and Zachary snuck up onto the roof top terrace to catch the last few minutes of sunset. 🌅

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Spitzer! 🥳

To Megan and Zachary – Thank you for an amazing day! It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you! I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for you as you start this next chapter as husband and wife. Can’t wait to see you again for your big album reveal! All my love – S

To see their full day, click here.

VENDORS:

Photography: Sarah Sage Photography LLC

Hotel/Venue/Catering: Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame

DJ: In-Tune DJ Service

Florist (bouquets only): Country Florist

Videography: Vibrant Video Productions

HMU: Beauty & Bliss

Cake: Karma Cakes by Heidi

Church: Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Dress Boutique: Blue House Bridal

Tuxedo: Louie’s Tux Shop

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